Chapter 8
The girl with clear eyes wasn’t someone who usually prattled on. Yet, she acted boldly, no doubt using the black darkness as her shield.
It seemed she was returning, in kind, the embarrassment she had suffered earlier that day.
Who ever said the common people were simply gentle, pitiful, or beautiful? The more one knew, the more cunning and fearsome they could be. She was the type who, if given one measure, would repay with three—a mischievous and formidable commoner.
“Go. Your business is done.”
“Then, apply it.”
“Apply what?”
By then, Dancho had brought out the medicine box and spoke as if he already knew everything.
“You were lying down, weren’t you? You need to apply the medicine again.”
He sat down with a thud and opened the medicine box with resolute firmness, like iron had been driven into him. When she looked up, she opened her eyes sternly.
“Oh my. Quickly now.”
⋆★⋆
Creak.
The large door opened, and a burly Inyeong stepped out. The guards standing by bowed in unison toward him.
“Any news?”
“No. It’s been completely quiet.”
“I see…”
Even though he already knew the answer, he asked anyway. He had spent the night listening, ears alert, so if there had been any news, he would have known.
Aulmu looked up at the sky and let out a long breath. The cool air before dawn turned into white clouds of breath.
“Let’s meet at Hyeonjeo.”
That was what his master had said, yet even two days after he had arrived, there had been no news. People had been sent repeatedly to search, but no trace was found.
It wasn’t like him. In any situation, he would leave some sign so that his loyal followers wouldn’t worry.
“Out again, huh?”
At the low voice, Aulmu turned and bowed his head. It was Lady Hyeon, the mistress of Hyeonjeo.
“How come you’re out so early?”
“Both of us, really. Who do you think has me standing guard at my age?”
They laughed at Lady Hyeon’s complaint. But the laughter faded quickly.
“It seems they couldn’t find him either. He must not have been captured. Though I don’t know who ‘they’ are exactly.”
“He must be hiding somewhere for some reason.”
“Do you truly think so?”
“Yes. I do.”
Aulmu reassured himself, dispelling the last bit of unease.
This place was Hyeonjeo, a residence prepared in Haryeong, the land of Yeonwon’s maternal family. Outwardly, it looked like a large, magnificent estate, matching his status, but within it existed another form entirely—composed solely of Yeonwon’s loyal followers.
To the public, Hyeonjeo was as expected a residence of Yeonwon, just like his city estate. So, even if he came here, he would make it seem as if he didn’t stay, erasing all traces of his presence.
Darkness hides what is near. That was Yeonwon’s plan—no one would suspect he was openly hiding in Hyeonjeo.
Thus, he believed that his master was surely safe somewhere, in a place no one had imagined.
“People are curious. Having dared to touch the royal bloodline, it’s only right to root out those men. But why does the palace, using the prince’s illness as an excuse, only pretend to search for them? And why does Yeonhwagoon again choose to meet in secret?”
“Isn’t that your curiosity, madam?”
“If it is, would I tell you?”
They had drawn their blades with determination, intent on finishing this matter. But defending against an unknown enemy is like fighting in the dark with eyes blindfolded.
If they revealed their traces, they would be the ones destroyed.
Yeonhwagoon decided to wait. Wait until they, unable to endure, revealed themselves.
“Madam, you already know the answer, don’t you?”
Lady Hyeon wrinkled her nose, a hint of regret in her voice.
“Do you know that feeling when you solve a problem but keep checking to make sure the answer is correct? That’s how it is living next to someone meticulous. You pick up that habit.”
“The one I serve isn’t exactly easygoing either…”
“Not just yours.”
Both serving the same master, they playfully deflected. It was Lady Hyeon’s attempt to ease the tension, and Aulmu recognized it.
“Come, the soup is hot. We must eat while we wait, right?”
Even after speaking, neither Lady Hyeon nor Aulmu could leave their spot immediately. They glanced at the distant sky, already lightening.
“He will be alright, won’t he?”
“He will.”
⋆★⋆
Dancho, carrying the breakfast tray from the kitchen, looked up at the sky. He set the tray on the floor, removed his shoes, and stepped onto the raised wooden platform.
“Sir, breakfast.”
The day was fine, so eating on the veranda seemed pleasant. Sunlight was said to help speed recovery.
“….”
There was no response while he arranged the tray and dishes. Perhaps he was still sulking over yesterday’s attempt to check his backside.
Dancho approached, merely to see if he had fully recovered. Perhaps he had lied about being fine to avoid lying down.
‘And if it gets worse, how am I supposed to handle that temper again?’
It was strange that the man who wouldn’t let anyone see Sophie’s backside now fussed over his own.
“Sir.”
“Hey!”
As Dancho entered, he saw the man with only one arm in the sleeve of his jacket. He shouted at the interruption, fumbling for the other arm.
It was a new garment bought by Bunyi. He had paid for it. Despite choosing the largest size, the sleeves barely fit, requiring some tailoring.
“Why not send it back for adjustment?”
He had lost his belongings while wandering the mountains. The horse carrying his luggage had run off, leaving nothing. Yet he stubbornly refused to alter the garment, perhaps out of shame.
Dancho guessed as much. If he was aware of this shame, he wasn’t entirely a brute.
As the sleeves flapped, they eventually folded completely. Dancho sighed, approached, and grabbed the jacket.
His broad back came into view naturally. As he slipped his arms in, the muscles along his shoulders and back flexed.
“….”
Compared to the bodies of other men he had treated, this one was different. Firm and resilient, with clearly defined strands at the front and thick muscles at the back. Pressing left no finger marks.
Particularly, a long scar on his back caught Dancho’s eye. A playful man like him, yet how had he gotten such a wound? It looked as if cut by a sword. Though long healed, the mark remained vivid.
“That must have hurt terribly.”
The long scar evoked a strange sense of empathy. Perhaps it was a memory etched deeply in time.
Terrifying yet safe.
The subtle movements of scars along his muscles gave rise to a strange urge—to touch, to gently stroke.
If he knew, he would be shocked.
“That’s all because he’s a Leo. A natural allure flows through his body. That’s how he captivates women.”
Bunyi’s words came to mind by chance.
“Does frequent… intimacy really do this…”
Unconsciously murmuring, she was startled. When had Yeonwon turned to look at her? His expression was more bewildered than hers.
“What are you doing?”
Dancho hurriedly steadied her voice.
“I was just helping with your sleeve.”
“Hah.”
He chuckled, exasperated, turning away. Dancho watched him adjust the jacket and stepped back.
He had carelessly tied the knot, then turned toward her in mock frustration.
“How can you be so calm?”
“What do you mean?”
“If a man is shirtless, women naturally look away. Yet you come close fearlessly.”
“I was just helping with your sleeve.”
Her voice sharpened. Usually he would dismiss it, but today, having glimpsed his body, she felt guilty, raising her tone.
“And you? Do you secretly harbor feelings for me?”
“Feelings? For you?”
He laughed heartily. Dancho’s eyes, previously flashing, now pouted.
Talk of zodiac signs was merely rumor. A man who courted twelve women a day—she joked, fearing he might misinterpret her.
But was it so laughable? Seeing him mock her openly made her strangely upset.
She had expected nothing, desired nothing, yet his laugh left her feeling foolish.
“From now on, even if you cry or plead, I won’t help. Whether your shoulder scar reopens or not, you’ll have to flounder on your own.”
As Dancho left, a cold gust seemed to follow her. Yeonwon clicked his tongue.
Flounder, indeed. Where else could a commoner speak to him so insolently?
“How shocked will she be later when I reveal who I am?”
He imagined her surprise when he finally left, as if all the earlier petty hardships had been healed.
“Come, quickly now.”
Despite her tantrum, he wasn’t angry. With a refreshed heart, he stepped out of the room, hoping for a proper breakfast today.
